Campus Cuts Hit Even Wealthy Institutions

Enrollment issues drove deep personnel and program cuts at a range of colleges and universities last month.

The steepest of those were attributed specifically to the loss of international students, a result of the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration restrictions. Other institutions, including three Oregon campuses, are laying off employees amid state funding concerns.

But even those with deep pockets are making cuts. Harvard University, for example, began a restructuring effort that will eliminate dozens of jobs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Here is a look at layoffs announced in July.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Tech laid off 160 employees at the end of last month, just weeks before the fall semester is set to begin, WBEZ reported.

In a statement to the news outlet, officials at the private university attributed the layoffs to research funding cuts and “severe restrictions on international students.” Illinois Tech reported that 42 percent of its student body came from abroad last fall, when the institution enrolled about 7,500 students. WBEZ reported that archived data shows the university lost approximately 1,200 international students at the graduate level in one year amid the government’s broader immigration crackdown.

Illinois Tech Faculty Senate issued a no confidence vote in leadership one day before layoffs.

Saint Louis University

The private university is eliminating more than 80 open positions as it seeks to plug a budget deficit that officials have attributed to declining enrollment, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The university also cut some filled faculty and staff roles but has not said how many.

SLU President Edward Feser wrote in an email to campus last month that “enrollment and net tuition revenue have continued to soften,” prompting the need for “fundamental changes.” Feser added that despite the layoffs, and other cost-cutting efforts, he still expects a “modest” deficit.

Southern Oregon University

The embattled public university is cutting 61 jobs, Jefferson Public Radio reported.

That number reflects a reprieve for five employees; the university has walked back layoff plans slightly from the 66 they first announced in June. The move comes as university leaders backed off a plan to cut human service and financial mathematics programs, though multiple others remain on the chopping block as SOU looks to cut $20 million to address its fiscal crisis.

Temple University

President John Fry announced in a message to campus last month that the university plans to lay off approximately 40 employees as it seeks to trim $60 million from its operating budget.

Fry wrote that Temple has grappled with a structural deficit in recent years, necessitating cuts. The university has already eliminated 236 jobs, which Fry wrote was largely through “voluntary retirements, resignations or elimination of vacant positions.” He noted that more than 70 faculty members had opted into a voluntary retirement incentive program offered to eligible employees.

Despite recent fiscal challenges, he noted “a record number of deposits” from first-year undergraduates and transfer students, but said more work is needed to boost enrollment.

Harvard University

The nation’s wealthiest university is laying off dozens of employees.

The university began a restructuring effort last month that will include at least 36 layoffs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, according to The Harvard Crimson. Another 28 employees were reportedly offered a choice to take on another role or face layoffs. The broader restructuring effort also includes a return-to-office mandate, among other changes. Since layoffs are expected to be phased, more are likely in the weeks ahead, The Crimson reported.

Despite Harvard’s deep pockets, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (which consists of the undergraduate college and other divisions) is facing a projected structural deficit of $365 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Portland State University

The public university in Oregon announced plans to shutter two departments and lay off 36 employees in its quest to address a projected budget shortfall of $35 million over the next two years.

Portland State initially planned to lay off 52 employees in faculty and other academic positions but ran into resistance from the Portland State chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Following negotiations with the union, that number fell to 36 employees. However, more cuts are likely as the university anticipates eliminating vacant roles to shed personnel costs.

Officials anticipate $16 million in savings from recent cuts, meaning the university will need to trim elsewhere or boost revenue to plug the projected $35 million shortfall.

Mt. Hood Community College

Facing a $5 million budget deficit, the northwestern Oregon college cut 27 jobs last month.

The local newspaper The Outlook reported that the cuts include a mix of layoffs and the closure of vacant positions. July job cuts extended to faculty and staff, including some executive positions. College officials attributed the budget deficit driving the cuts to such factors as rising personnel costs, inflationary pressure and state funding challenges.

Louisiana State University

The public university laid off 25 employees last month, including its chief financial officer and other high-ranking administrators, amid cost-cutting efforts, the Louisiana Illuminator reported.

Other administrators who lost their jobs include officials in LSU’s Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, as well as staff who previously worked on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives but were reclassified after LSU renamed its DEI office. LSU’s communications and marketing office was reportedly hit hard, with 16 employees laid off.

The news outlet estimated that the cuts will save LSU about $3.7 million in personnel costs.

American International College

The private college in Massachusetts cut six administrative jobs last month, WWLP reported.

Officials told the local TV station that the cuts were driven by budget concerns and made following a review “to ensure resources remain aligned with evolving institutional needs.” University officials emphasized that “no faculty or teaching positions were affected.”